Area Agency on Aging Sock Hop Gathers Over 250 Area Older Adults

Published on May 31, 2023

On Thursday, May 25, 2023, the Wyandotte/ Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging hosted its annual Sock Hop celebration and resource fair at the George Meyn Community Center in observance of Older Americans Month.

The much-anticipated event had been on pause for the past couple years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the excitement of guests and lines stretched outside the doors, this event gathered attendance of over 250 area older adults.

While partying to best classic hits, the older adults were able to receive many free community resources, games, door prizes, lunch, and an overall feeling that the celebration was designed especially with them in mind. Through an awarded grant from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability guests were also able to receive a variety of free health screenings courtesy of the HyVee mobile health unit.

“It is important that we commemorate the hard work, sacrifices, and legacy that older adults have contributed locally and across the county,” said Ruth Jones, Director of Wyandotte/ Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging. “We are dedicated to ensuring our older adults remain engaged, independent, and feel supported in their communities.”

Through months of planning and collaborative efforts spearheaded by the Wyandotte/ Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging this event hosted 23 community vendors and sponsors to help make this event a huge success. The Unified Government Transportation Department also provided free shuttle transportation to guests from the Area Agency on Aging office to the George Meyn Community Center.

A special thanks goes to the many onsite volunteers, DJ Greg Wooton, and celebrity dance contest judges, Mayor Tyrone Garner, Commissioner Melissa Bynum, Commissioner Chuck Stites, and District Attorney Mark Dupree.

Honoring Older Americans Month

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living, (ACL), leads the nations Aging network, which consist of up to 640 Area Agencies on Aging, up to 250 Title VI, Native American Aging service providers, and over 20,000 network organizations, in honoring our Older Americans during the month of May. During this time of the year annually, networks all over the country set aside time to recognize the many contributions that older adults make to our community.

The 2023 theme for Older Americans Month, is “Aging Unbound”. The Annual Sock-Hop hosted by the Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging aligned directly with the national theme.

Area Agency on Aging Mission and Services

The AAA’s mission is to provide services to older adults and provide them with resources and information, allowing them choices and options to remain in their own homes and communities as long as possible. These community-based services gives older adults the opportunity to Age-in-Place and assist with warding off premature institutionalization.

In-Home Homemaker and Personal Care services, Meals on Wheels and Congregate Meal Sites, Case Management, Information and Assistance, Legal Services, Hygiene Products, SHICK Counseling, Family Caregiver Support, CHAMPPS meal programs, Newsletter, Enhanced Fitness, are some of the many services offered through the Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging.

To get connected and learn more about the Wyandotte/ Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging Department, please visit our website at wycokck.org/aging.